In the food industry, hygiene alone sets very high-quality standards for the equipment. Expertise is also measured in numerous moving parts, long trajectories requiring constancy of size, both in rust-resistant materials and thin material thicknesses. 

“I have strong confidence in the Stairon expertise. They fearlessly tackle even larger assemblies, which are usually difficult to get bids for,” praises Jarkko Kokko, Head of Productionat Sulbana Oy, a global supplier of innovative cheese-making equipment.

Large-scale cooperation for mutual benefit  

The partnership between Sulbana and Stairon began based on good references. The scope of supply has expanded over the years, from welding subcontracting all the way to component purchases and assemblies on a larger scale. 

“The first delivery that introduced me to Stairon dealt with large pressing plates for cheese moulds. These were followed by three salt pools, the largest of which measured 18x3x3 metres, and it was delivered to us complete,” recalls Kokko. 

Operating in Finland from Kauhajoki and Seinäjoki, Sulbana is now part of the German, family-owned Alpma Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of cheese-making processes and equipment. 

“We are currently working on two cheese-mould stores. We provided Stairon with the production drawings, and they oversaw the work planning and procurement of materials. The stores, which are about six metres high, are also test-assembled at Stairon and then dismantled into segments for transport. This is an advantage as a customer, because the larger the assemblies we are able to purchase under one roof, the more our own workload is reduced.” 

From Finland to the world with high quality and on time 

Most of the equipment manufactured by Sulbana in Finland is exported. The largest markets are Central Europe and the United States, in addition to deliveries around the world from Japan to South America.

“The number one priority in cooperation is Stairon’s reliability, both in terms of quality and security of supply. Transports and installations, shipping from around the world, must be arranged well in advance, as they are very difficult and expensive to move. It is important that we can rely on the promised delivery time and that delays are communicated immediately rather than at the last minute, when it is difficult to do anything about it,” Kokko stresses. 

Similarly, at the Sulbana end, the aim is to keep response times as short as possible, so that workers at Stairon do not have to needlessly wait for information that could affect their work. 

“When things run smoothly, we work together to find solutions to any potential problems, rather than just saying ‘that’s your problem’. Communication and weekly reports with Stairon run as they should without having to tease out the information.” 

Equipment worth millions have their unique challenges 

Kokko has first-hand experience of the flexibility of Stairon. 

“Changes in delivery times or storage have always been well agreed upon. Once, even during a mid-week holiday, we finalised and checked a delivery together with Stairon’s project manager,” he says with a smile.

When seeking continuity in a partnership, the chosen supplier is not always the one with the lowest absolute price, but instead the most economically viable partner. The Sulbana equipment, worth millions, have their own unique challenges, which can only be understood through experience. 

“Our quality requirements always cause challenges for new suppliers, which is why we are looking for a long-term partner who knows our needs without having to constantly monitor them. I also appreciate Stairon’s interest in developing as a supplier and their willingness to offer a more advanced product than just a welding assembly. For example, with work planning coming from Stairon, we achieve much more value for the entire supply chain,” says Kokko. 

You don’t learn from problems by sweeping them under the rug

Confidence in skills comes from Stairon’s strong expertise in different areas of work. The fact is that complaints cannot always be avoided, but it requires skill to learn from them for the future. 

“Stairon has understood that quality does not only improve in offices, so they go through the negative issues internally, right through to production. As a customer, I have gained the impression that they genuinely strive to learn from any potential mistakes and not just sweep things under the rug.” 

Production Director Hannu-Pekka Peräntie at Stairon stands behind this trustworthy and open cooperation. 
“Cooperation with Sulbana has successfully taken us out of our comfort zone and challenged us to evolve. As a result, we are more prepared and also bolder in the face of new challenges,” he concludes.

In the picture: Simo Harju, Project Manager at Stairon, and Jarkko Kokko, Head of Productionat Sulbana Oy, observing the cheese-making store under fabrication. 

Would you like to read more references from our customers?
Catch, for example, the interview with Sandvik and the interesting Caligo in the current news.

Sandvik Mining and Construction manufactures underground loading and transport equipment in their Turku factory with over 700 professionals. During the aftermath of COVID-19 at the beginning of the year 2021, the volume of orders reached its previous record – and so did the need for new partners. ‘Stairon is flexible and has premises that are easy to adapt to our needs, as well as strong references from the industry,’ says Sandvik’s production manager Esa-Pekka Kantola, who is responsible for the subcontracting of the final assembly. 

It is often thought that collaboration creates something new, but this time the goal is the opposite: Stairon’s task is to dismantle a brand-new machine that has arrived from Sandvik’s main factory, pack up the components and deliver them to the end customer. 

‘So far, Stairon has successfully disassembled six machines for us and reassembled one. Because underground mines don’t always have a ramp for vehicles to drive into the mine, the equipment must first be disassembled and then lowered by cranes into the shaft. It’s also vital for product testing and quality assurance to have the machine reassembled once at the factory,’ Mr Kantola clarifies. 

An adaptable and trustworthy partner

The opportunities to receive support for manufacture have been ideal for Sandvik when both companies operate in the same city. 

‘No one is ready to work in this profession straight from school – you have to be prepared to familiarise yourself with the details. I’ve noticed that the people at Stairon have applied skills they’ve gained from their time with Valmet and experience in handling large components.’ 

During the year of collaboration, there have been situations where the customer has suddenly changed, and the machine has had to be rebuilt. 

‘In this field, it’s necessary to have an absolutely flexible and adaptable partner who knows how to communicate what they are doing, how the project is proceeding, and if something changes along way. Trust and continuity are born of finishing work on time,’ Mr Kantola emphasises. 

Preparing and equipping for the future 

Stairon is currently working on finishing a reassembly and packing job that will be delivered to the customer in a few weeks. The volume of work Sandvik sends to Stairon has steadily increased. 

‘Courage, adaptability and a continuous hunger for learning are the cornerstones of being a successful industrial professional. Sandvik and Stairon’s modes of operation are a unique combination of these three traits. I thank our customer for their trust, and I have faith that our strong co-operation will continue,’ says Stairon’s sales manager, Antti Reivonen. During his career, he has also gained experience in the quality assessment and process development related to heavy mining machinery manufacture. 

Depending on the market situation, the shared goal for the future is to grow operations and make use of Stairon employees’ multiple skills in, for example, outfitting as well as rebuilding and manufacture. 

‘One of the best things about Stairon is that in addition to being flexible, they are goal-oriented and eager to work with us by developing their expert services on a long-term basis,” Esa-Pekka Kantola concludes. 

We believe there is a solution to every problem. That is why our service offering is wide and flexible.
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Caligo Industria is a company that cleans flue gas and utilises waste heat produced in the energy and processing industry. They have been warming up their cooperation with Stairon for a long time. At the beginning of this year, they jumped straight into the deep end. There are three generating sets under way. Stairon oversees their manufacturing from start to finish.

“Stairon is a reliable and flexible partner. To me, not wasting time on moot points adds value. Stairon takes care of the welding installation and coordinates the whole project in a respectable manner,” summarises Oskari Salovaara, Operative Manager responsible for production and manufacturing at Caligo.

Partners consistently on the same page

Manufacturing one factory-tested flue gas scrubber unit requires a supply chain that takes months. As Caligo’s assembly facilities were at full capacity in this busy year, the large generating sets are built at the partner’s factory for the most part.

“Naturally, Stairon could supply us with machine parts when needed, and we have received them in small lots. Talking about long supply chains, it is extremely important that all parties have a clear goal and that they communicate their actual progress openly. Stairon has managed well in this respect, and the schedules have been relaxed or tightened as needed,” says Salovaara.

Praiseworthy structuring of work throughout the whole process

Caligo chose their partner partly based on the fact that Stairon has operated in the industry for a long time, and they are a proactive actor that knows how to boldly raise the bar. Cooperation with Stairon had been tested on a small scale already in 2014, when Salovaara started working at Caligo.

“As a customer, I would estimate that both the structuring of work and the technical side are on a reliable level at Stairon.” 

Rising to tomorrow’s challenges together

In the future, Salovaara expects a continuum of cooperation, open dialogue and expertise that spars both parties. It is also important for the schedules, costs and price level to stay in line.

“Cooperation with Caligo Industria has been a good and developing experience for Stairon. I refer not only to our commercial projects, but also to the competences accumulated in connection with them and the produced competitiveness. Caligo’s top-quality products and the best professionals in the field have taught us many things. In response, we work hard so that we can provide Caligo with significant competitiveness now and in the future,” concludes Antti Reivonen, Sales Manager at Stairon.

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Antti Mäntynen, Engineering Manager at Valmet Technologies Oy, has been working with Stairon’s resident employees on product improvement and manufacturing efficiency of air dryers for three years now. Sometimes the agenda has included design work, but also more and more project-related processes. 

– As someone who has gone through two development projects and many design initiatives together, I can tell that our co-operation is proactive and knowledgeable, Mäntynen says. 

At the beginning of our co-operation back in 2019, Stairon’s people immediately demonstrated their hands-on and active approach. Comments were not a scare resource and the targets were set high. 

–  People at Stairon want dialogue. They engage themselves actively at every stage of the project. Costs and scheduling are also communicated transparently, and the previously agreed on numbers are also something that stick and can be trusted, Mäntynen says. 

The value of co-operation increases when all parties understand the importance of transparency and appreciation. 

– We can achieve savings in everything when co-operation is carried out by listening to the opinions of those responsible at different stages of the project and keeping the big picture in mind during every moment, Mäntynen emphasises. 

Decisions reached during the design phase of a product have a major impact not only on the functionality of the product, but also on its manufacturability and, naturally, therefore also on manufacturing costs. 

– It has been great to see that Valmet has involved us in the development of products at an early stage, so that we can influence these decisions. This way we can manufacture together products that serve not only the customer but also their end customers, Stairon’s Planner Miika Pietilä comments. 

Pioneers in co-operation

– Certainly, co-operation is at its best when the customer trusts their supplier so much that they involve this into product development from the very first steps of the project. This also keeps the spirit and mind of production team fresh, and constantly challenges you to think and consider new methods of manufacturing. It feels an honour to participate in product development work of a leading company in its own field, tells Hannu-Pekka Peräntie, Production Director at Stairon. 

According to Mäntynen, smooth and seamless co-operation can also be expected in the future. 

–Stairon’s expertise can be clearly seen in how they take ownership of manufacturing technology and advanced welding robotics. Co-operation is smooth and competent.

During our years of co-operation, Mäntynen has been most positively surprised by the attitude of Stairon’s people – over and over again. 

– Level of commitment by Stairon’s people is truly exceptional. They show common ground and benefits, and certainly consider positive effects of co-operation for both parties. The way they operate is really professional.

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